Project: Friends - Quest 1: How Close Humans are With Their Biodiversity

_Biodiversity is our heritage, it is our shared responsibility_

"All on board! All on board!" the speakers alerted. Everyone were seated at their respective seats, and the last few rushed into the coach before the train left them for good. The journey was going pretty well, doing the things you love for a train journey, seeing the sights that you love...and the words from the train's speaker that got stuck in your head...

"...Megadiverse..."

'What does that even mean, man? I mean, it sounds HUGE, but how much?'

"...it has like, 60% - 70% of the total species in the whole wide world..."

'...Owh. Okay. Aha. Mhm. And...got it!'

ooOOOoo

Welcome.

You've just landed in Malaysia; a quaint yet exotic, a rather developing place than a megacity.

I'm your host, Beep-Boop, here to assist you throughout your quest. We will be having four stops today and a R&R session in between. The R&R would be at one of our friend's personal gallery of wildlife photos. Snacks would be provided!

Your quest is simple: Search for the answers on 'How close the humans are with their biodiversity?'

Papers would be distributed during the break alongside a quick briefing, and answers should be submitted at base camp, to the supervisor in charge.

Clues might be hidden along the way, so keep your senses sharp.

At last, a finishing note...

As you walk the journey today, alliances shall be made, pride houses might be born, shelters shall be provided and the undead might be awaken. Whatever happens today, shall be supported by the camp, as much as the will allows.

So buckle up those boots or comfy sandals of yours, as it might take a day's journey, but don't get weary and let's get going!

ooOOOoo

FIRST STOP

Habitat

Habitat is basically a neighbourhood or town, but in a different term; a place where you live within. Imagine your life: transferring to a metropolis, when you are a little town charm, or, transferring to a village, when you are a suburb persona! Or let's say, your neighbourhood or town is under surveillance 24/7? How would you feel?

Once upon a time, wildlife were killed on the spot if they were seen wondering in human territory. Even though it isn't happening quite a lot today, capturing and transferring those wildlife to another place is a thing now; often times today, ecotourism parks are being formed too. Do you think it is a lot more different than the killing scenario?

Good habitat is crucial. Your life quality depends on where you live. No?

The quality of the area matters, well, at least for me! I don't expect myself to be the most productive during these quarantine times, when I'm not even allowed to go out and have a cup of coffee in my favourite coffee shop; of course not.

So, why this might be any different with the other organisms in this planet, living just like us?

SECOND STOP

Prepared Future Generations

I've heard of the biodiversity intellects, quite recently.

"Documentations!", they said; "Botanist!" one said, "Zoologist! Microbiologist!" the other said, "Taxonomist! Ecologist!" another said, and one after another, the cries just got bigger.

We've already got around 15 million species of plants being documented, but that's not all. There are more, especially if you see the logic in 'Megadiverse'.

Oh wait, jobs? There are plenty, if you look into it. If not, create one!

They say, be the change you wanted to see. It ain't easy, I understand. Though, it is very possible. Many are getting into entrepreneurship nowadays. Why not make a full-time career out of herbarium making? Or working with the Indigenous people to preserve their traditional knowledge by documenting and publishing books? Maybe even get a career in gene banking or seed collecting! We need all of you guys to make these careers 'happen'; cause if not, even though these career exist (like the gene banking institutes, for example), they are gonna wilt away, eventually.

So, where is your path heading?

ooOOOoo

R&R TIME!

Welcome to Hazy's Gallery!

Everyone, this is my good friend Hazy. Hazy is excited to let us all view his work and give him some awesome comments on it!

..."Yes everyone, I'm looking forward towards your comments, both good and bad."...

Feel free to have a look at all those beautiful wildlife photos; you will never know till you look at them, to find out if there are any clues left for you.

There is bread and biscuit, coffee and tea. Help yourself to those taste buds' delight. Restrooms on your right and report papers on your left. Be careful to NOT shake the flower vase near the paper though.

Okay everyone, one hour here and then we are off to the base camp.

GALLERY

Briefing - Give the answer, in the form of Rating (1-10)

- The answer should be as followed:

1. Wildlife of your choice

(choose from the gallery or give your own - ONLY scientific names)

2. Answer: Ranking

(in between 1-10)

3. Answer: Detailed

(Strongly encouraged - optional)

4. Clans formed?

((Where you feel you belong in this Friends project?))

5. Any further questions or comments?

((PS: Answer sheet submission at - Comment section below; Email; Instagram; Facebook; Pinterest; Whatsapp; Discord - Contacts are shared down below))

ooOOOoo

THIRD STOP

Change of Attitude

What kind? More humane; yes. Now, more than ever, humanity is needed.

Are we lacking humanity though?

That depends on where you look for it, actually.

Some places have more humanity than the other, and vice versa.

Be cautious though, to not DEFINE the world by seeing only part of it (where it might be the least humane place). The stain of that definition might just stick onto you for a long time, before it even start to fade away.

But also, don't be the escapist of problems here. Once you are faced with a problematic reality, go through it and solve whatever you can; get out stronger!

To be more humane, one should be able to understand their surrounding in an open way; where defensive behaviours are left behind, and proactive behaviours are put forth.

To be more humane, one also should practice an open mind; practice to be able to see the whole picture, in where we are part of the whole biodiversity, and definitely not the highest in the rank.

When 'true' humanity is achieved, we will be able to work together with people of various parties. Thus, various problems including the problem of how to maintain the forested areas, might get a good solution. To start becoming a 'true' human, one no need to be perfect, but to be aware of what 'true' humanity is.

FOURTH STOP

Concept of 3P (A talk by the local, to the local)

People. Planet. Profit.

That is what this is all about' but with one modern correction.

People. ~~Planet~~. Profit.

If there is too, it is ONLY lip service, usually.

Our government have lots of action plans, ground-rules, and even our 5 year developmental plans, which focuses on our planet; but, they are more towards the infrastructures, whereby it means, 'development'.

Our country, as a developing one, is having a high rise in human population density and without doubt, many are eager to live a lush life. What's the cost?

One house with 3 to 4 cars? Chopping the trees to increase the country's economical demands? Dam building for increased water supply? Food demands that lead to the opening of forested lands to agricultural based ones? Economical dependence on tourism-just because we have the 'things'?

Imagine, what happens if you are trying to please all the people in your lives? What does it cost to you? Transfer those imaginations to the biodiversity now. If we make biodiversity to please all the humans on the face of earth, won't it cost its own peace and life?

ooOOOoo

And, after a long day, finally, we've arrived.

Feel free to have your detective coats hanged on the hanger around the room - in whatever form that coat maybe!

We have our relaxing lounge of bean bags over there, and some delicious refreshments over here.

For the answer submission, our supervisor is just there, around the corner of the room - tall, dark and bumbly~

On her desk, is the tray for the answer sheets. Make sure to have them dropped, before you leave to the train station.

Everyone came here with your own return ticket, but you are also welcomed to stay in as long as you like.

This is just the end of Quest 1, not of the whole series of QUESTS.

But till then, have a great day/night everybody.

Signing off,

Beep-boop.

ooOOOoo